Present Imperfect

Maggie Went Home | October 27, 2003

Yesterday I had a dog. Today I have no dog.

I found a dog walking down the street and she was collarless with no owner in sight. I called to her and she followed me, so I opened up the door to my car and she jumped in and sat down in the backseat. I took her to the little pet supply/groomer place by my house to see if her picture was on the bulletin board. It wasn't. They gave her treats and made her sit and said she seemed like somebody's dog who just got out. I agreed. She was too good and not very hungry.

Then they told me I could take her to the shelter in case somebody was looking for her, plus I couldn't really take her home because Sebastian tends to viciously attack doggies with his razor-sharp claws. He does not like doggies.

I took her to the shelter and cried when I left because she looked so lonely in that stupid cage. I told myself that if she was still there at the end of the week, she would be my new dog. Then I went home and posted an ad to Craigslist saying that I found a really friendly dog on Sunset and Hyperion. I left her impound number, the shelter number and my phone number.

Today, her owner called because she saw my ad. I sent her a picture to make sure the dog was hers. She is. Her name is Maggie. She's going home tomorrow when the shelter opens.

She's not my dog anymore.